I'm new to the blog and would like some advise regarding Bishop Pass. I'll be backpacking on October 11th from South Lake for a few days and would like to camp at Dusy Basin one night. Any advice on what the conditions might be like at the pass? Are crampons advisable? I've never used them and therefore a little apprehensive to carry them.

KJR, I've been to Bishop Pass a few times in mid October. It's unusual but in some years that area gets an early dusting or even a few inches of Snow in October but rarely would there be enough snow to warrant crampons & ice axe over the Pass and into Dusy Basin. You could take some micro-spikes and If it did dump a foot or more of new snow snow-shoes would be helpful.

p.s. you posted in the Plans & Partners section. this thread would be better in the Regional/California board. The SP elves will most likey move it.

I wouldn't plan to take any crampons. Even if the snows did come a bit you should be able to find a way though. Also that is one of the most popular trails in the eastern Sierra, so there ought to be a pretty good track though whatever falls unless a storm came through the night before.

It could be completely snow free. But even if there were a foot or two of unconsolidated snow I don't think crampons would help much.